Research

Estimating soil carbon based on samples is tricky to get right. We explored the role of sampling depth when estimating soil carbon, to show why it matters, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

We analyzed project proposals submitted for Stripe's Spring 2021 Carbon Removal Purchase. Explore our updated database of project reports or read the article for our takeaways and lessons learned.

Forests in the United States are already at risk from wildfire, drought, and insects, and climate change is making it worse. We combined satellite and ecological data with climate models to project future risks to forest carbon. Along with a preprint, we are releasing open data, open software, and an interactive web map.

California's forest offset program is worth over $2 billion. We analyzed detailed public records to show how statistical flaws in the program's design have led to over-crediting — at a scale of tens of millions of tCO₂ and hundreds of millions of dollars.

We analyzed project proposals submitted for Microsoft's 2021 Carbon Removal Purchase. Explore our updated database of project reports or read the article for our takeaways and lessons learned.

Our interactive tool helps explore the cost of direct air capture (DAC) coupled to stand alone energy sources. Try the tool, or read the article to learn more about the model.

A new resource on the fundamentals of carbon dioxide removal and its role in addressing the climate crisis. Our team helped write, edit, and produce this free, online digital book.

A coordinated effort to standardize and scale today's voluntary offsets market is underway. We submitted a joint letter with Carbon Direct and the Berkeley Carbon Trading Project detailing how the Taskforce is ignoring the problem of poor quality rampant in today's market. That problem needs to be addressed first.

Our interactive tool helps compare the long-term cost of temporary and permanent carbon removal. Try the tool, or read the article to learn about the methods and implications.

Fire poses a key risk to the permanence of forest carbon. We analyzed a large fire during the 2020 fire season and analyzed its impact on a forest carbon offset project.

Carbon removal is confusing because there are many approaches, and all affect the carbon cycle in different ways. In this article we develop and explain a typology for comparing approaches.

Team members contributed to a review paper on physical risks to forest carbon, like fire, drought, and insects, and why that matters for thinking about the role of forests in climate change mitigation.

There are good reasons to be excited about soil carbon sequestration, but rigorous quantification remains a challenge. We analyzed a carbon offset protocol and wrote multiple letters raising concerns related to program design and scientific integrity.